Possible new convert question and concerns

[sambrea]

Hi,

I'm a non-practicing Christian who recently picked up "The Idiot's Guide to Understanding Islam" which I found to be an excellent introduction to the religion. I've been searching for my rightful place in the universe for some time and am drawn to Islam in a way that Christianity is simply not fulfilling and I can't explain. I'm hoping to receive a Qar'an in a few days from one of the websites that offers them for free so i can read it for myself but I have a question and a concern if I do convert and I was hoping someone would be kind enough to help me out.

I know there's a ban (? not sure that's the right word) on art that depicts humans and animals and even though it's certainly not something that will prevent me from conversion I'm still wondering: just how complete is it? For instance, I know that the beautiful picture I've had for years that depicts a black leopard with cubs is prohibited, and most likely the neat ad for travel to south africa that has giraffes on it as well, but does this also mean that I will have to give up my collection of Disney pins that I have?

Also, if I do convert, I'm worried about praying five times a day. It's not that it's not doable or anything, it's the fact that I will be returning to Walt Disney World this fall to work for at least one semester and am worried about being able to do the required prayers at the right times because work days tend to be anywhere from 6-12 hours. I'm also worried because I don't know any Muslims personally and want to have a good introduction to those in the area who might help me on the path. If anyone has any suggestions or comments for me, they would greatly appreciated. Thank you.

 

[ummsami89]

questions

hi sambrea. My name is Jamie. I have been muslim for over 8 years, alhumduillah.
If you have any questions for me, feel free to ask. I was born in the episcopal church, even though it never made sense to me, what I knew. One of the best books to read is.and its small. is The Bible Led me to Islam. It is written by an Episcopal preacher that converted. So many convert stories online too.
I work outside the home in retail. Yes, it can be hard and I completely understand about the praying part, esp since you may be a new muslim, someday and have alot of questions. inshallah. As you become stronger in your faith, the prayers will be easier to do. inshallah and you wont "sweat it" when work gets in the way of your prayers. Meaning, PRAYERS WILL BE FIRST IN YOUR MIND......you will see, inshallah. This is the best website I know of for your knowledge of Islam. sooooooo much to see and read . inshallah. I have seen alot of different websites in the last 8 years.
Do you have access to a mosque or any friends who are muslims? They can possibly take you to a mosque.
I believe you are a sister too right? a female? Well, also maybe you are concerned about the hijab? dont sweat that either yet........it will come in time. Remember you dont have to wear hijab to be a muslim.....it will all come in time. inshallah.
I will make dua for you.
Jamie

 

[gazkour]

Greetings of peace

Hi,Sambrea and very welcome to this beautiful site. I hope and pray to Allah that while being here you can benefit a lot from it.

I'm a convert from christianity as well, and my advise is not to worry about this little things very much (even if it's natural to think about them). When you convert to Islam, Allah will show you the way and make it easy for you! I won't hurt. Believe me, as you get closer to our Creator it will come the time when you are sooo convinced and ready that it will be done naturally. It's a step by step process. Remember that the Coran was revealed in stages, little by little. It all depends on every individual and nobody can ever force you to do anything.

Regarding the exact ruling about pictures, I don't have it with me, I'm sure that some of the very knowledgeable members will post it for you. Then again, I think that should not be your priority just now, as I said.

As for the prayers while you're working I have to say that we all, nowadays, face some difficulties with it...it's the modern world! But that's exactly part of our daily struggle. I'm sure there are some muslims working in there as well, so you could try to contact them.
Most of the time this kind of big employers will respect your right to pray, so I thinks it's also matter of discussing it with your boss. Alternatively you can always accomodate your prayers with your brakes, as long as the prayer it's done on time.

Forgive me if I have commited any mistake, it's just my opinion.

Welcome again!

Peace.

 

[sajjuaiah]

As-salaam Alaikum,

Welcome to this beautiful community.

“And whosoever fears Allah and keeps his duty to Him, He will make a
him to get out (from every difficulty).
And He will provide him from (sources) he never could imagine. And whosoever
puts his trust in Allah, then He will suffice him. Verily, Allah will accomplish
purpose. Indeed Allah has set a measure for all things”[al-Talaaq 65:2-3]


And when My servants ask you concerning Me, then surely I am very near; I answer the prayer of the suppliant when he calls on Me, so they should answer My call and believe in Me that they may walk in the right way. 2:186

Salam (peace)

 

[A Kashmiri]

Asallamu Alaikum ( Blessings and peace on you)

Dear sister, I have copied some of the Fatwas ( Rulings ) regarding the making of pictures etc. you can go through them and you can understand what is prohibited and what is not.

As they say nothing comes free, and when the thing which you are searching is to be closer to Creater - Allah , for sure there will be lot of sacrificies which one has to make. Inshallah (God Willing) as you study islam further, you will come to know the beauty of Islam.


In case of any other query please feel free to write.

I ask Allah to help you in your efforts for searching the truth.



Question: Is it unlawful to draw pictures and create statues and figurines? If it is unlawful, are there any exceptions?

Answered by Shiekh `Abd al-Wahhâb al-Turayrî, former professor at al-Imâm University in Riyadh

The ruling regarding image making needs to be addressed in detail:

Drawing pictures by hand of people and animals is unlawful. This is indicated by clear and unambiguous textual evidence. Ibn `Abbâs relates that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Whoever makes an image in this world, he will be requested to breathe life into it on the Day of Resurrection, but he will not be able to do it.” [Sahîh al-Bukhârî and Sahîh Mulsim]

Ibn Mas`ûd also relates that he heard the Prophet (peace be upon him) say: “The severest of penalties on the Day of Resurrection will be given to image makers” [Sahîh al-Bukhârî and Sahîh Mulsim].

Making statues of animals and people is the most unlawful aspect of image making, and it deserves the severest punishment from Allah. Drawing pictures comes second.

However, the following cases are exempted from this ruling:

1. Images used by children for playing and for learning are lawful. `Aishah said: “I used to play with dolls in front of the Prophet (Peace be upon him) with my friends …” [Sahîh al-Bukhârî and Sahîh Mulsim] as these are a means for education and constructive play and are free from the danger of being venerated.

2. Photography does not come under the category of forbidden image making, since there are many differences between photographs and hand-rendered images. It is lawful because it is an act of capturing a reflection like the reflection of an image on a mirror. Most importantly, the problem of human emulation of the creative process is not as it is with painting and sculpture.

And Allah knows best.

Question: Al-Salâm `Alaykum. Recently we started an Islamic message board and removed the emoticons from it because we feel as if they are imitating humans and the creation of Allah. Also we stopped anyone on the board from making images with a colon and parenthesis which stands for two eyes and a mouth. We would like to ask the scholars what they think of our board obstaining from and forbidding these emoticons?

Answered by the Fatwa Department Research Committee - chaired by Sheikh `Abd al-Wahhâb al-Turayrî

Al-Salâm `Alaykum wa Rahmah Allah wa Barakâtuh.

It is forbidden to make images that resemble people or animals. Ibn `Abbâs relates from the Prophet (peace be upon him): “Whoever makes an image in this world, he will be requested to breathe life into it on the Day of Resurrection, but he will not be able to do so.” [Sahîh al-Bukhârî and Sahîh Mulsim].

Ibn Mas`ûd also relates that he heard the Prophet (peace be upon him) say: “The severest penalty on the Day of Resurrection will be given to image makers.” [Sahîh al-Bukhârî and Sahîh Mulsim].

However, the image has to actually resemble a person or an animal to be prohibited. As for mere symbols or combinations of word characters that indicate eyes and a smiling mouth, these are not prohibited unless those symbols are used for worship or for some other unlawful purpose. In this case, they are merely a type of shorthand.

And Allah knows best.

http://www.islamtoday.com/show_detail_section.cfm?q_id=36&main_cat_id=1

Question: I heard that Muslims are allowed to draw abstract or incomplete pictures of humans and animals. Is this true?

Answered by Sheikh Sâmî al-Mâjid

Trees and inanimate objects like the Sun and the Moon may be drawn. Ibn `Abbâs said: “Draw trees and whatever has no soul." [Sahîh al-Bukhârî]

You may not draw a creature of any kind unless you do so without drawing the head, since any creature without a head cannot be considered a full image.

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Gabriel came to me and said: I had nothing to prevent me from visiting you yesterday but the images I have seen on your door. There was a curtain with images thereon, and there was a dog in the house. Order someone to cut the head of the image then it will be the same as a tree. Then tear off the curtain and use it as cover for two pillows, which will be used on the floor, with no respect. Order someone to remove the dog outside.” The Prophet (peace be upon him) did as Gabriel commanded him. [Musnad Ahmad (8032), Sunan al-Tirmidhî (2806) and Sunan Abî Dâwûd (4158)]

From this hadîth we know that removing the head of an image would make it a lawful image to be drawn. Moreover, most likely it is permissible to draw a head without the body, because this is also a depiction of something that cannot on its own possess life.

http://www.islamtoday.com/show_detail_section.cfm?q_id=489&main_cat_id=1

 

[Asiya-sparkles]

Oh bless you, I hope that you feel fulfilled and become more and more comfortable with the concepts and rulings in Islam as you go on.

The process is gradual in Islam, and I heard a sister explain this beautifully, my attempt is weak by comparison. But the more you try to achieve from the outset the more likely you are to fail, Islam is a process of the heart and mind and each increases gradually - so the more we learn and adopt the more our hearts fill. Start with the basics sister, read the quran, make Duas...personal prayers and learn to pray. Allah will inshAllah help you and make things easier for you. Everyone has times when praying on time is difficult, and I believe that with the issue of the 5 daily prayers you may have two options. One is to see if the company has a policy whereby you can take breaks around your prayer times (many employers are happy to accommadate!) With the Zuhr (midday) and Asr(mid-afternoon) prayers you have a few hours in which to pray, obviously the closer to the time its due the prayer is completed the better, but Allah knows your circumstances and is all forgiving, you also have up till midnight to complete your Isha(nightime) prayer- this is midnight according to the hours between sunset and sunrise rather than midnight on the clock!

The second option is to either combine your Zuhr and Asr prayers..offering Asr early, and/or combine your Mahgrib and Isha prayers. As time goes by you find that offering your pryers becomes easier and easier inshAllah!

With pictures, for example your collection of pins, perhaps you can have them in a special case and look at them occassionally, the pictures perhaps for the time being just have in a place that isn't where you sleep or pray. The Angels of Mercy do not enter the houses of those with pictures in.

Gradually as you become closer with allah and your Iman(faith) increases, you find that giving these things up becomes easier inshAllah.

If you be gentle with yourself and focus on those inevitable changes that happen within you, you become less and less attached to material and worldly possessions and those things that you love now become things you not only no longer need, but no longer desire too. This isn't necessarily going to happen in the short term, it may take a while, but Allah knows your abilities and your limitations and if you ask, He will help make everything easier for you.

Good luck and God bless you!

Asiya

 

[nizar83]

selemu aleikum sambrea!
peace be upon you!

we are very very happy to ask any of your questions inshallah (godwilling)
please note that our beautifull religion of islam is based on good intention, just try your best and pray to god for his guidance inshallah.

take care brother / sister

 

[s 091]

hi I wish you all the best on your journey I myself know very little also and am still learning. I myself have just purchased a Quran with the english version in also, as soon as I started to read it things seemed to make sence I hope the same happens for you it really is beautiful to read. If you would like to chat anytime feel free to pm me anytime.

 

[junaid hasan]

Sister dont worry about the rules which u have to practise or what is prohibitad. Try to first learn islam and accept it that their is no God but allah and prophet mohammad(peach be upon him) is his prophet. TAke ur shahada as long as u r clear about islam. Then time will bring the solution with itself inshallah(by the will of God).

 

[Saidsaad]

:salam2:

Welcome to the site.
I reverted to Islam over two years ago and still learn so much. The best advice I was given was to take everything very slow at first. You should just focus on the basic five pillars of Islam before getting deep into small details. I was also told to learn from Islam not muslims, as every culture has different views on what is & what isn't alowed. I have found some of the best information from many brothers & sisters here at TurnToIslam.com.

 

[iislam4ever]

once you study enough and build up ur faith the five time prayers become very easy with The Help of Allaah...i just want to share my own experience today i went to a resturant w/ my friends with out realizing about the praye..but as soon as i remembered I prayer at the parking lot so prayer is not that hard to do it..
may Allah guide you
:tti_sister:

 

[rtbour]

"I'm a non-practicing Christian who recently picked up "The Idiot's Guide to Understanding Islam" which I found to be an excellent introduction to the religion. I've been searching for my rightful place in the universe for some time and am drawn to Islam in a way that Christianity is simply not fulfilling and I can't explain. I'm hoping to receive a Qar'an in a few days from one of the websites that offers them for free so i can read it for myself..."

HELLO! Welcome! I was Christian at one point too, and I read the same book you are reading. Just wanted to let you know i have been where you are at right now, and you are going in the right direction! Hope you enjoy this site. I know it's helped me with a lot of my questions about Islam.

Salaam.

 

[blackivy393]

im reading that same book right now, i think its very informative

 

[TheHumbleWun]

Hello Sambrea,

Welcome to our global family inshallah (God willing) you will find TTI resourceful and beneficial.

Don't be too hard on yourself. There's alot of rules and principles in Islam, it's very difficult to master all of them. For right now just do the best you can.

Just remember this:

On no soul doth Allah place a burden greater than it can bear; it gets every good that it earns; and it suffers every ill that it earns...

(2:285)

I recommend you watch these powerful documentaries:

http://www.turntoislam.com/forum/showthread.php?t=30339

http://www.turntoislam.com/forum/showthread.php?t=30415

May Allah increase your knowledge and give you a fruitful life.

All the Best,

TheHumbleWun

 

[cmelbouzaidi]

I am so happy you have found Islam!

Dear sister,

I think you are receiving some very wise words already, Masha Allah. It is true that this should be a gradual process. Even certain rules and prohibited practises were laid out gradually and carefully in the Holy Quran to give the people time to adjust. There are many different schools of thought regarding this matter so I suggest you concentrate on studying the basics of the religion and address this more closely at a later stage. I think if your intention regarding this pins, etc., is just a keepsake and bears no likeness to idolizing them, you are on the right road. Allah knows best what is in our hearts.

Please do not let this be an obstacle for you.

Also, regarding prayer at proper time, if it is impossible to perform dhuhr and asr while at work, try to perform fajr before you leave the house and make up for dhuhr and asr as soon as you get home and then the other two prayers at their appointed time. As time goes on, try to look into finding a way to get a few minutes on lunch break and afternoon break to perform the two prayers and do your wudhu while there at the workplace, if at all possible.

I, too, am a revert formerly Christian and you can chat with me any time. I have been a muslim now for 17 years and still learn something new every day, subhan Allah.

 

[amjaddamen]

:salam2:sisters & brothers
hello sambrea ,
well may be it is not the right time for me to step in , but as iam born muslim (alhamed lalah)
i would like to say that the best approach toward isalm is knowing all mighty GOD and his wisdom in the universe and in all creatures ,and if he realy GOD we should know what his message to us is ? .have knowing that we should follow it as much as we can.
but taking every issue in islam and say ,well this suites me , this suites me not would be (in my opnion ) not suitable because i and you are not perfect to measure things .
the prophet (pbuh) conduted islam for 23 years ,the first 13 years he emphasis his effort to build faith in muslim selves. and there is no GOD but allah.
so i wish you find things about islam will convice you beacuse ,believe me ,
you will be greater person